Surface finishing panel



` April 2,8, 1936 F. BISHOP v SURFACE lFINISHING PANEL 2 Sheets-Sheet il.A v`

Filed July 26, 1929 w rlllllll pil 2s, 1936.

F. BlsHQP SURFACE FINISHING PANEL Filed July 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 28, 1936 PATENT OFFICE SURFACE FiNismNG PANEL Frank Bishop, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 26, 1929, serial No. 381,268

25 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of forming wall surfaces and to surface finishing elements and particularly pertains to tile and panels of tile for covering Walls and similar surfaces to form a tile surface.

An objectv of the invention is to provide a tile formed with a body of sheet-like material. such as sheet metal, in which the body is adapted to be readily applied to form a surface covering.

Another object is to rprovide a metallic tile having a mechanical fastening means for affording a connection between the tile and a surface to which it is applied and which fastening means is especially adapted for engagement with a fibrous backing whereby the tile may be readily applied to surfaces formed of Wood or composition boards.

Another object' is to provide a preformed surface finishing panel including a ser-ies of assembled tile units on a backing panel or foundation sheet which is adapted to be assembled or manufactured in the shop in sizes to t dimensioned areas of wall surfaces and thereafter be applied to a wall surface or other supporting structure in one or a number of pieces as occasion may require, with each piece embodying a series of assembled tile units, thereby obviating the necessity of assembling the tile units on the wall surface as now generally practiced, and

thus effecting a great economy in labor in covering a surface with tile.

Another object is to provide a surface covering panel of the above character in which tile sections are so formed and mount'ed on a backing panel that a plastic or cementitious material may be interposed between the main body portions of the tile sections and the backing panel and in grooves or channels between contiguous tile sections after assemblage of the sections on the backing panel.

Another object is to provide an effective means for anchoring the metallic tile sections'on the backing panel so formed as to facilitate assemblage of the tile sections on the panel.

Another object is to provide a process or method of producing' tiled units whereby a multiplicity of tiles may be seated on a backing panel in a. predetermined relationship to be finallyI occupied, and simultaneous application of a multiplicity of the tiles to the backing panel be effected.

Another object is to provide a process of producing preformed tiled panels adapted to application to Walls or other supports as a unit, in

which a plurahty of tiles may be simultaneously v affixed to an imperforate backing or foundation.

Another object is to provide a method of constructing a tile surface in which a multiplicity of tiles are initially assembled on a relatively large foundation sheet adapted to be applied to a supporting structure, and in which the construction is such asto permit application of pointing material to grooves between adjacent tiles after applying the foundation sheet to the supporting structure.

Another object is to provide a preformed tile panel as anvarticle of manufacture in which a 'plurality of tiles are affixed to a backing by means of prongs carried by the tile and in which means are provided associated with the prongs to resist disengagement of the prongs'and tile from the backing.

Another object is to provide a means for mechanically attaching tile to a backing together' with means for effecting Vspacing between the faces of adjacent tile and also for effecting spacing between the under side of the face portion of the tile and the backing.

A further object' is to provide a tile formed of 1 material applied in the spaces between the tile.

Another object is toprovide a surface finishing tile formed of sheet metal orthe like having nailing spurs formed on opposite margins thereof and projecting rearwardly therefrom with the lugs on one margin off-set or staggered relative to the lugs on the other margin in such manner as to eliminate possibility of the lugs of adjacent tile coming together when mounted on a foundation.

With the foregoing objects ln View, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides in the parts and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawings, invwhichz- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tile unit as seen from the back thereof; y

Fig. 2 is a detail in section as seen on the line 2-2` of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail in section as seen on the linev 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the tile unit as seen from the upper edge thereof;

Fig. 5 is` an end view of the tile unit lshowing it as applied;

Fig. 6 is a view of the tile unit as seen in front elevation;

25 embodying means for anchoring plastic pointing from the back thereof;

Fig. 9 is a view in front elevation illustrating an assembled panel section embodying a series of tile units;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail in section taken on the line Iii-III of Fig. 9 showing the manner of mounting the tile units on a backing panel;

Fig. 11 is a .detail in vertical section showingV the manner ln which spaces between the tile units and the backing panel, and channels between contiguous tile units, may be filled with a plastic or cementitious material, and showing .the manner in which the panel sections are affixed to the wall;

Fig.' 12 is a detail in section illustrating the manner of finishing the top marginof the panel with a tile rail;

Fig. 13 is a detail in horizontal section showing the manner of forming the ends of the' panel sections to afford a finish at outside corners;

Fig. 14 is a detail in section illustrating the manner of forming the assembled panel section to produce a'v recessed panel effect;

Fig. 15 is a view in perspective illustrating a modified form of the tile anchoring means;

Fig. 16 is a detail in perspective illustratinganother modification of the tile anchoring means.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, A indicates generally a tile unit which embodies a face portion B formed of sheet metal and which body portion is here shown as rectangular in outline and as having its edges turned to form narrow marginal flanges including upper and lower flanges I1 and I8 and end flanges I9 and 20. The upper flange I1 is formed intermediate the ends thereof with a tongue 2| which projects in continuation of the'ange I'I in a rearward direction and at right angles to the face portion B at the longitudinal center thereof, and formed on the flange IIv equi-distant on opposite sides of the center of the tongue 2| are rearwardly projecting and upstanding lugs 22'and 23. Projecting from the margin of the flange I1 -in spaced relation to the lugs 22 and 23 are pointed nailing spurs or prongs 24 and 25 extending in continuation of the flange I-'I .and spaced apart on opposite sides of the center tongue 2| a greater distance than the spacing of the lugs 22 and 23. A pair of spacing lugs 26 and 21 project rearwardly and upwardly'from the flange I 'I adjacent to, but spaced from, the ends of the latter.

4Formed on the lower flange I8 is a pair of nailing spurs or holding prongs 28 and 29 extending in continuation of the flange I8 at right angles to the face portions B, the centers of which are disposed in alignment with the centers of the lugs 22 and 23, being thus spaced equidistant on opposite sides of thelOngitudinal cen- Y ter of the facir'portions B. Azpair of lugs 30 and vposite sides on the center of the face portions B than the spurs 28 and 29. Formed on the flange I8 adjacent` to the ends thereof is a pair 'of 'outwardly and down-turned flanges 32 and 33, the centers of which are spaced fromthe centers of the spurs 28 and 29 a distance equalY to the spacing of the centers of said spurs 28 and 29 from each other. The rear faces of the lugs 22, 23, 26, 21, 30, 3|, 32 and 33 project on a common plane spaced rearwardly from the edges of the marginal flanges on the face portions B whereby said lugs are adapted to serve as spacers when seating against a surface to which the tile is applied to afford a gap between the marginal flanges of the tile and the surface as indicated at 34 in Fig. 5; and also afford a space between the under side of the face portion B and the surface to which the tile is applied.

The spurs 24, 25, 28 and 29 are adapted to be forced into a backing panel or foundation sheet 35 to which the tile unit is applied as particutile unit is anchored onto the panel.

YThe lugs 22 and 23 by reason Aof their being disposed on a plane passing through the spurs 28 and 29, the lugs 22 and 23 on one tile unit may abut against the spurs28 and 29 of an adjacent unit disposed in alignment therewith, and in like manner the lugs 30 and 3| on one tile unit may abut against the spurs 24 and 25 of an adjacent unit. The lugs 22, 23, 30 and 3| then serve as spacers between contiguous tile units to form grooves or channels 36 between the margins of contiguous units as shown in Figs. 9 and 10; thus affording spaces between the face portions B of adjacent assembled tile units.

When the tile units are assembled in broken joint or staggered relation as shown in Fig. 9, the end lugs 32 and 33 will abut against the tongues 2| on an adjacent pair of the tile units arranged therebeneath, whereupon these lugs will then serve as spacers to provide the grooves or channel 36.

` By disposing the prongs 24 and 25 on one edge of the tile in staggered or off-set relation to the spurs 28 and 29 on the opposite edge of the tile the possibility of any two spurs of adjacent assembled tile coming together when mounted on a surface is obviated.

'I'he tile units are designed to be assembled on the' backing panel 35 as shown in Fig. 9 which panel may be of any suitable dimensions and is designed to be applied to the area to be surfaced with the tile elements'assembled thereon; the panel 35 being dimensioned to cover -a. particular area, and being formed of suitable fibrous material such as laminated wood or composition wall board. z

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the backing or foundation to which the tile unit is applied may be imperforate, that is free of preformed holes or recesses for the reception of Athe holding spurs since the latter are capable of being pressed or Adriven into the material of the backing.

As a means for affording a finish for the base portions of the finished panels, base units C of tile are provided as shown in Fig. '7; such units being formed with end flanges provided with pairs larly shown in Figs. 5 and 10 and whereby the pairs of spacing-lugs 4|42 and 43-44 which serve the purposes ascribed to the lugs and spurs of the units A; and as a. means for affording a finish at the upper margin of a panel, rail units D are provided as shown in Fig. 8, these sections including spurs 45 and 46 on an inturned lower '4 -marginal flange 41, and ears 48 and 49 on an inturned upper flange 50 which ears are adapted to be bent t'o extend over the baci; of the panel 35 at the upper margin thereof as shown in Fig. 12.

As a means for affording a finish at outside gagement with the panel and having ears 52 on Y the other margin thereof adapted to be bent to extend over the back of the panel.

Where it is desired to form the finished panel with a recessed panel effect the backing panel embodies a layer 53 -with a strip 54 planted on the front face thereof to form the backing panel with a raised portion, tile units are imposed on the outer surfaces of said backing and on the strip in the manner before described, and a moulding unit F is provided to extend over the margin of the strip 54 projecting from the backing panel 53, as illustrated in section in Fig. i4; the moulding tile unit being formed with spurst55 and 56 on its margins engageable with the panel 53 and the strip 54 as shown. I

In the .form of the invention above described the spurs are formed integral with the tile units but they may .be formed as shown in Fig. by spot-Welding tacks 51 at suitable points on the back of surface 58 of the tile unit, or a tack'59 may be positioned to extend from the rear face 60 of the tile unit by having the head 6I thereof engaged by an inturned tang 62 on the marginal flange 63 of the tile unit as shown in Fig. 16; the stem of the tack being projected through the In assemblingthe finished panel the latter is formed of a dimension to occupy the space to be covered thereby and the several tile units of desired dimensions are planted thereon by pressing the spurs into the back panel to effect driven imbedded engagement therewith. The spurs, which may also be termed penetrating prongs or tangs, are pointed to facilitate their driven or pressed penetration of the backing panel and are of a length greater than the side flanges I1 and I8, and may be formed -of sufdcient length to project through the panel' in which event the tips of the spurs may be bent or clinched over the back of the panel, as shown at 64 in Fig. 10, thereby effecting a secure engagement between the tile units and the' panel. However, the spurs on being forced into the backing panel will serve as nails and will effect such frictional engagement with the material of the panel as to afford a substantial anchorage for the tile units on the panel Without such clinching. In either event a mechanical attachment between the spurs and the backing is attained which will resist withdrawing of the spurs and thus resist disengagement of the tile from the backing. In this manner the finished panel may be assembled in the shop and thereafter applied to the surfaceto be covered.

In applying the assembled panel certain of the tile units may be removed from the panel to permit the driving of nails through the latter into engagement with a nail receiving material as shown in Fig. 11, in which 55 indicates a nailing strip which may comprise wall sheathing or studding or any other wall structure, and 66 designates a nail for effecting connection between the backing panel and the structure 65. The

margins of the backing panel may be secured to the structure 65 by driving nails 61 diagonally therethrough. The removed tile units are then replaced.

After the finished panels have been applied to the wall surface the spaces between the back of the tile units and the backing panel may be filled with a plastic composition 68 which composition is applied by pouring it into the open spaces 34 Iextending along the upper margins of the upper row of the tile units, and in order to facilitate filling of. the channels 36 between contiguous tile units a sheet 69 of paper or other suitable material is temporarily adhered to the outer surfaces lof the tile units to extend over the chanels 3E so as to form a mould that will confine the plastic composition in the channels 36. The plastic ma terial 68 is of a character that is soft or semiliquid but which will hardenv when dry. After setting of the plastic filler the sheet 69 is removed.

Where the panels are applied to ceilings or floors the channels 35 may be filled by applying plastic composition or pointing material directly thereto, in which event a bond is afforded between the filler and the tile units by reason of the filler flowing under the edges of the marginal flanges of the tile units and therebyforming a key. In

vlike fashion in forming a wall surface with the preformed sheet having channels between ad-u fjacent tile thereon such channels are filled wth -event pointing material will be applied to the spaces between adjacent tile. .However, great economy in labor is effected by assembling the tile units on the backing panel in the shop, as in mounting the tile units on the panel a number lor multiplicity of the units are initially assembled in the proper position on the panel in the relationship to be finally occupied on the finished panel and they can then be engaged therewith by subjecting the assembled units and panel to pressure as by placing the panel with the units resting thereon in a press and impressing the tile units simultaneously in place. In this manner a considerable number of. the -tile units may be applied to the backing panel in a single operation.

Manifestly the tile may be formed with any suitable surface finish as is commonin the manufacture of metal tile such for example as by applyng thereto a surface coating such as enamel.

` from the lforegoing that by employing the mechanical connection between the tile units and the back'ng in accordance with the invention as herein set forth, any cement or pointing material employed in conjunction therewith will be held in place by the tile units rather than act to retain such units in place. Although such ce ment may assist holding the units in place, it primarily serves the purpose of seal-ing the joint between the adjacent ytile units. It w'll also be seen, that I have produced as an article of manufacture, a panel or sheet having tile characteristics, which can be readily assembled and set in place on a supporting structure, and which when applied will have the appearance of ordinary tile.

I claim:

1. A surface nishing tile comprising a metallic plate, nailing spurs formed on the margin of said plate, and spacing lugs on the margin of said plate operable to space the plate from a surface to which it is applied and to cooperate with spurs on the margins of the contiguous plate to space adjacent plates apart.

2. A surface finishing tile embodying a metallic plate having marginal anges, nailing spurs formed integral with said flanges and projecting rearwardly from said plate, and spacing lugs formed integral with said flanges projecting rearwardly from -said plate and having their ends projecting beyond the margins of the plate.

3. In a surface finishing tile, a sheet metal plate, a nailing spur on one margin of said plate and projecting rearwardly therefrom, and a spacing lug on the other margin of said plate extending in alignment with said nailing spur.

4. A surface finishing panel comprising a fibrous backing panel, a series of metallic tile units on said backing panel, and means aiiixed to and projecting from the back of each of said tile units for fastening said tile units to said panel there being marginal spacing lugs provided upon said tile units to maintain contiguous units in spaced relation to each other.

5. A surface finishing panel comprising a fibrous backing panel, a series of metallic tile units covering said panel, nailing spurs on each of said tile units penetrating said backing panel, and spacing lugs on each of said tile umts operable to space the body portions of the units from the backing panel.

6. A surface finishing panel comprising a fibrous backing panel, a series of metallic tile units covering said panel, nailing spurs on each of said tile units penetrating said backing panel, and spacing lugs on each of said tile units operable to space the body portions of the units from the backing panel and operable to space contiguous tile units from each other.

'1. A surface finishing panel comprising a brous backing panel, a series of metallic tile units covering said panel, nailing spurs on each of said tile units penetrating said backing panel, spacing lugs on each of said tile units operable to space the body portions of the units from the backing panel, and a hardened plastic composition interposed between the tile units and the backing panel.

8. A surface finishing panel comprising a fibrous backing panel, a series of metallic tile units covering said panel, nailing spurs on each of said tile units penetrating said backing panel, spacing lugs on each of said tile units operable to space the body portions of the units from the backing panel and operable to space contiguous tile units from each other and a hardened plastic material filling the spaces between contiguous tile units.

9. A surface nishing tile embodying la metallic plate having marginal flanges, spacing lugs on said flanges for spacing said plate from a surface to which itis applied, and pointed nailing spurs formed integral with said flanges and pro- :,osspao to said panel by direct frictional engagement therewith.

l1. A surface finishing panel comprising as an article of manufacture, a fibrous backing panel, a series of metallic tile units on said backing panel having a plurality of integral nailing spurs formed thereon, said spurs penetrating said backing panel in direct frictional engagement therewith and mechanically fastening said tile units to said panel.

12. A metallic tile unit having 'a plurality of pointed nailing spurs carried on opposite margins thereof and projecting rearwardly therefrom for effecting penetration of and direct frictional engagement with a backing to which said unit is applied;v the spurs on one margin of the unit being staggered relative to the spurs on the other margin thereof.

13. A surface nishing panel comprising as an l article of manufacture, a brous backing panel, a series of 'metallic tile units on said backing panel having a plurality of nailing spurs formed thereon, said spurs penetrating said backing panel in direct frictional engagement therewith, and having their ends clinched over the back of said panel to resist disengagement of said tile units from said panel.

14. A surface finishing panel comprising as an article of manufacture, a fibrous backing, a series of metallic tile units on said backing having a plurality of nailing spurs formed thereon, said spurs penetrating said backing in direct frictional engagement therewith, and having their ends clinched over the back of said backing, and means associated with said spurs spacing the under sides of said units from said backing.

15. A surface finishing tile comprising ametallic plate, rearwardly projecting marginal `anges on said plate, penetrating holding spurs protruding rearwardly from said plate a greater length than said flanges, and lugs on said flanges for spacing the margins of said anges from a backing to which the tile is applied.

16. A preformed tile panel adapted to be applied to a wall or similar surface as a unit, comprising a backing sheet and a plurality of tiles mechanically attached thereto, said tiles. being formed of sheetlike material having face portions, side anges and penetrating holding prongs ofy greater length than said side flanges, said tiles being applied to one face of said backing sheet in predetermined relationship with spaces between said face portions of adjacent tiles and between the under sides of said face portions and said backing sheet, said prongs having a driven imbedded engagement within said backing sheet and means associated with said prongs resistingwithdrawing.movement of said prongs and tiles.

1'7. 'Ihe process of producing a tiled unit consisting of a backing panel having a multiplicity of tiles on the face thereof, each of said tiles having tangs extending into the panel, which consists in assembling the multiplicity of tiles with the tangs thereof presented to the panel, and then forcing the panel and assembled tiles together to cause the tangs to be forced into the panel.

18. The process of producing preformed tile panels adapted for application to a wall or similar surface as a unit, which comprises providing a plurality of tiles formed of sheet-like material, having face portions, sidefianges, and penetrating holding prongs of greater length than said side flanges, providing an imperforate backing sheet, arranging said tiles in the relationship to be finally occupied on the finished panel, with the prongs presented to said backing sheet, forcing said backing sheet and tiles together, causing said prongs to penetrate said backing sheet to simultaneously attach allof the assembled tiles to said backing sheet in their final positions.

19. The process of producing a tiled unit consisting of a backing panel having a multiplicity of Cai tiles on the face thereof, each of said tiles having tangs extending vinto the panel, which consists in assembling the multiplicity of tiles with the tangs thereof presented to the panel, then forcing the panel and assembled tiles together to cause the tangs to be forced into the panel, and then clinching said tangs against the back of said backing sheet.

20. The process of producing preformed tile panels adapted for application to a walli or similar surface as a unit, which comprises providing a plurality of tiles formed of sheet-like material, having face portions, side flanges, and penetrating holding prongs of greater length than said side flanges, providing an imperforate backing sheet, arranging said tiles in the relationship to be finally occupied on the finished panel, with the prongs presented to said backing sheet, forcing said backing sheet and tiles together, causing said prongs to penetrate said backing sheet to simultaneously attach all of the assembled tiles to said backing sheet in their nal positions, and then clinching said prongs against the back of said backing sheet.

21. The method of constructing a tiled surface which consists in covering a relatively large foundation sheet with a multiplicity of porcelainenameled sheet-metal tiles spaced apart to provide grooves therebetween, then securing said sheet to a supporting structure, and then applying pointing material to said grooves.

22. An article of manufacture consisting of a preformed tiled panel adapted to be applied to a wall or similar surface as a unit, comprising a backing sheet and a plurality of tiles mechanically attached thereto, said tiles being formed of sheet metal having face portions, side flanges and holding prongs of greater length than said side flanges, said tiles being applied to one face of said backing sheet in predetermined relationship with spaces between said face portions of adjacent tiles and between the under sides of said face portions and said backing sheet, said prongs extendinginto said sheet and being clenched to resist withdrawing movement of said prongs and tiles, the spaces between said face portions of adjacent tiles constituting grooves to receive pointing material.

23. The combination of a foundation sheet and a multiplicity of tiles covering one face of the sheet, each tile consisting of a sheet-metal plate having marginal flanges and tangs on the flanges, said flanges bearing against the sheet and said tangs entering the sheet, and means associated with said tangs to resist disengagement of the tile from the sheet.

24. A surface finish tile embodying a plate, holding prongs on said plate formed to effect penetration of and mechanical engagement with an imperforate backing, and spacing members on said plate arranged to space the margins thereof from the backing on which it is applied.

25. The combination of a fibrous backing, a plurality of sheet tile mechanically attached to said backing with grooves between adjacent tile and with spaces between the under side of the tile and the backing, and plastic material filling said grooves and extending into said spaces and engaged by the margin of said tile.

FRANK BISHOP. 

